Nectarine tree named &#39;Nectasia&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTASIA’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly red pigmentation in the stone cavity and around the stone cavity, and an attractive intense and luminous purple red skin, with a very high percentage of luminous red blush. Fruits can, be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2011/0560 filed on Mars 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica L. Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NECTASIA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTASIA’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone yellow flesh fruit for fresh market in August or in September in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to its parents, ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581) yellow nectarine tree and ‘Nectachief’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330) yellow nectarine tree, for reliable description. ‘NECTASIA’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTASIA’ yellow nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTASIA’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘Nectachief’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as the pollen parent. ‘NECTASIA’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 05.05.05 NJ ASF 0712 and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 23, 2010 under number 4047121. The ‘NECTASIA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or early in March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 26 and March 20, generally together with ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581).

The first fruit of ‘NECTASIA’ nectarine tree ripens at mid-August or early in September, generally about 5 days later than ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581). More particularly, it approximately ripens between August 8 and September 7. However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows two whole fruits and leaves of the new variety, and a third fruit, cut in half with the stone left in one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows different views of the stone and of the kernel.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTASIA’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or during March. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is orange yellow with a slightly red pigmentation, and its skin is very thick, with a luminous purple red blush on an orange red background. The stone is medium size or large size. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581) yellow nectarine tree, ‘NECTASIA’ variety has approximately the same time of blooming but ripens approximately 5 days later than ‘Nectagala’, as set forth above. However, ‘NECTASIA’ variety produces a higher amount of flowers than ‘Nectagala’ and ‘NECTASIA’ has a high rate of fruit set. ‘NECTASIA’ fruits are superior to ‘Nectagala’ fruits; shape of ‘NECTASIA’ fruits is rounder than ‘Nectagala’ fruits shape and color of ‘NECTASIA’ fruits is more intense than ‘Nectagala’ fruits.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘Nectachief’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,330), produces yellow nectarines. ‘Nectachief’ has approximately the same time of blooming with ‘NECTASIA’ but comparatively ripens 6 weeks earlier than the new variety, which ripens in August, generally during the last two weeks of August. It was chosen as a genitor because of its important and regular productivity and its very attractive fruits presentation, round-shaped, very firm, with a bright orange red color and a homogenous size. Moreover, ‘Nectachief’ fruits have a semi sweet and very aromatic taste, and a very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

The new variety female parent, which is also the ‘Nectagala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,581) yellow nectarine tree has an interesting level of productivity. ‘Nectagala’ variety produces yellow nectarines with very high gustative qualities. The fruits of ‘Nectagala’ have a semi-sweet and aromatic flavour. They are very attractive and homogenous in presentation, with their round form and their bright red coloration on more than 80% of the surface fruit, with an orange red background. ‘Nectagala’ ripening comparatively begins approximately 4 or 5 days earlier than the new variety's ripening, generally around August 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm with current             season shoots length comprised. The tree size is             consistently reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every years.             Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining             fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the             fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 ore more was necessary             for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year             during the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘NECTASIA’ variety has a naturally semi-flared to             semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages             were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12             degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant             to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 8.0 cm and 11.0 cm in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20 cm             above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present, generally between             5 and 6 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from             approximately 2.0 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters in width,             and from 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered             brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B to C).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a light brown color (RHS Brown             N 200 C) to a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 B to C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 20.0             to 25.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 70 degrees and 85             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 30.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A             to B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper             part is colored brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. The ratio             leaf length/leaf width is 3.93.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 152.0 to 192.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole. The medium length is 173.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 40.0 to 49.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 44.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate and small.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137             A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Green 137 B to C)             than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow             Green 145 C to D). The color may change with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About             12.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green N 144 C). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green N 144 D).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is             about 1.2 millimeters. Number. — Generally 2 or 3 glands per             leaf. Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf             glands color is considered a light green (RHS Yellow Green             144 A to B). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a             dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0             millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent             upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of             development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the             sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to             C or Grey Brown Group 199 A); the corolla, formed by the             petals, is generally of light pink color (RHS Red Purple 65             A to C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of             flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally at the end of February or early in             March. The first bloom was observed on Feb. 28, 2003.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed on March, at the middle of the             blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with             climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first             full bloom was observed on Feb. 28, 2003. Last observed             blooming times were Mar. 5, 2007 then Feb. 26, 2008, then             Mar. 2, 2009, then Mar. 20, 2010, then Feb. 26, 2011.         -   Duration of bloom.—Between 10 and 13 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 30.0 to 35.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             40 to 45 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a             high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large for the             species.         -   Length.—Generally about 18.5 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, sweet and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 A to C) and             slightly darker at the end of flowering.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a             truncated form. Length. — Approximately 1.5 to 1.8             millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.2 millimeters. Color.             — A darker pink than the petal color.         -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally             dome-shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and             having an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0             millimeters. Diameter. — Considered average, approximately             2.0 millimeters. Color. — A brown to light brown (RHS Grey             Brown N199 B to C).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is matt and             considered golden orange (RHS Greyed red 178 C to D). The             outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple brown             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to C) color.         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,             fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Length. —             Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately             4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Form. — Ovate Color. —Matt Red (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 B to C or RHS Grey Brown 199A).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small in length. Color. — Red to             orange red color (approximately RHS Greyed Red 178 A Group).             The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C) which may evolve with             maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 9.0 and 15.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally equal             to the pistil's length, if not slightly longer.         -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple             62 C to D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to B). The color evolves             during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.             Length. — Approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters including             the ovary. Generally equal to filaments length, if not             slightly smaller to filaments in length. Color. — Considered             a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D or RHS Yellow             Green 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming. Surface             texture. — Non pubescent. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 25, 2003.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTASIA’             variety has a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped             within 9 to 13 days and the harvest is generally performed             in two runs. Last known picking times begin Aug. 14, 2007;             then Aug. 18, 2008; then Aug. 20, 2009; then Sep. 7, 2010;             then Aug. 8, 2011.         -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large and homogeneous in size.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 78.0 to 85.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to 78.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 250.0 to 280.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round or slightly elevated. The             fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the             suture's plane.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending             from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a color similar to             the whole fruit color. The suture is completely colored with             a homogenous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 9.0             millimeters. Average width is about 13.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,             and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong. Texture. —             Glabrous. Taste. — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level             of sugars. Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous purple             red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B). The purple red blush             covers 85% to 95% of the fruit skin surface on a red orange             background (RHS Yellow Group 13 A). The percentage of the             blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally             dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the             fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground color covers 5%             to 15% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered red             orange (RHS Yellow Group 13 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, homogenously, slowly. Texture.             — Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at harvest             maturity stage. Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced.             Eating quality. — Considered very good, with a high level of             sugars. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic.             The Brix is generally superior to 13 and acidity comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml . Juice. — Very juicy at complete             maturity. Brix. — Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions. Flesh color. — Orange yellow flesh (RHS             Yellow Orange 15 A to B) with a slightly red pigmentation             (RHS Red 53 A to B) into the stone cavity and around the             stone cavity, where the pigmentation is star-shaped on             approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the variety. The stone             size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,             crop load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 34.0 to 39.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 26.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is pointed, with a small             prominent tip.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, ovate-shaped and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced             toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief             is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B or RHS             Greyed Red 174 A to B).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel size is considered medium.             Length. — Approximately 18.0 millimeters. VVidth. —             Approximately 13.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately             5.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered oblate and elliptic.             Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — The kernel skin is an orange             brown (RHS Greyed Orange N 167 C to 167 C). The almond,             which is the seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS Orange             White 159 B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the             time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTASIA’ is considered to be a             nectarine tree with a semi-late season maturity, and which             produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively and             intensely colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are             excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting and             juicy when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative             qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,             they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product             (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are             also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks after             harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             yellow nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks to 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientates departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly red pigmentation in the stone cavity and around the stone cavity, and an attractive intense and luminous purple red skin, with a very high percentage of luminous red blush. 